Question

Are criminal justice risk assessments race-neutral?

1) Yes, technology in itself is not racist.
2) No, it is designed with intention to be unfair.
3) Yes, algorithms replace human judgement and they are unbiased.
4) No, the data is biased as it reflects historical bias.

Answer 1

No, the data is biased as it reflects historical bias. Criminal justice risk assessments are not race-neutral, as they often use historical data that reflects and perpetuates biases in the system. Therefore, the correct option is 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

No, the data is biased as it reflects historical bias. Criminal justice risk assessments are not race-neutral. While the use of technology, such as algorithms, has the potential to replace human judgment and reduce bias in the criminal justice system, it does not guarantee race-neutrality.

Risk assessment instruments often use historical data, which can reflect and perpetuate historical biases in the criminal justice system. For example, studies have found that black offenders tend to receive higher risk assessments compared to white offenders, contributing to disparities in the system.